Trail Overview
Pack 4WD is a short, technical 1.3-mile trail near Quartzsite, Arizona, that offers seasoned offroaders a scenic and challenging bypass around the Hogsback on New Water Mountain. Climbing 604 feet from a starting elevation of 1,900 feet to a peak of 2,503 feet, this trail is thought to have originated as a historic pack trail before becoming a rugged four-wheel-drive route. Navigating the trail from west to east is the most demanding direction, where locking differentials are strongly recommended to conquer a steep, loose hill climb with grades reaching up to 23 degrees. Offroaders traveling in the opposite direction from east to west can slide down this loose slope, which requires careful speed control and solid tire placement.
With a technical rating of 6, the route consists of rocky, rutted, and highly off-camber terrain with deep washes, loose sand, and ledges up to three feet high. One of the most notable obstacles is a sharp breakover that looks intimidating but is easily cleared by a lifted two-door rig or high-clearance four-door SUV without scraping. The final ascent up to New Water Mountain Road is rocky but manageable, though drivers should always remain cautious of potential deep water crossings in the desert washes after heavy rains. High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles with sturdy, aired-down tires are essential for successfully tackling the loose grades and rocky obstacles on this route.
Difficulty
This is a very rocky, rutted, and off-camber trail with erosion, loose rocks, sand, washes, and obstacles up to 3 feet tall, including ledges and short, steep grades. There's the potential for deep water crossings with strong currents.
